The invitation said it would be a dreamy experience, but it seemed very real inside.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

After ascertaining that it was indeed Optus that would be offering
the phone, everyone rushed to the front, forgetting the drinks
and nibbles, wanting to have a play with the phone.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

And there it was...

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

I had a go at checking out the full ZDNet.com.au site — not the mobile one. It looked great. The ugly foot at the bottom of the device is actually helpful when typing. It makes it easier to hold the bulky phone in the heel of your hand and use two thumbs.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

I was able to use my favourite app, although it was impossible to hear the whirring noise amongst the excited gabble of people pointing out the phone's features.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

At some point we had to reluctantly relinquish our toys and listen to Michael Smith (left), the acting MD of Optus Consumer, Karim Temsamani (right), Australian general manager of Google, and Anthony Petts (centre), sales and marketing director of HTC. According to Smith they were "three excited men in a room with moppable floors and white walls" which left us wondering what he planned to do...

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

After the speeches, with some curly questions thrown in about exclusivity and network performance, it was back to demonstrating what the phone could do, such as automatically scan QR codes.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

After scanning the code on the back of a business card, the options come up to: add contact, show map, dial number, send email.

As can be seen, this lucky Dream also had a case, which didn't seem to hinder the operation of the phone.

Published: February 5, 2009 -- 06:30 GMT (22:30 PST)

Photo by: Suzanne Tindal/ZDNet.com.au

Caption by: Suzanne Tindal

Another one of my faves. Users can set their own touch password
to unlock the phone.